To say Easter weekend was indulgent would be a VAST understatement, with the combination of my sister, Hannah, being over here on a flying visit from Oz, and the copious amounts of alcohol and rich food (and the odd bit of chocolate) being consumed, we certainly needed to burn some of those excess calories on the bikes.
Alex and myslelf decided on an easter monday outing, minus Sian (in Wales) and Amber (working unsociable hours!) HOWEVER we did manange to recruit a willing volunteer, for 1 day only, Belle in Damon, ok so he's a young lad not really a 'Belle' but he did tackle riding my old bike with enthusiasm and cheer, until he discovered those troublesome gears!!
Time was of the essence today so we opted for a short and sweet route to Ludgershall and back, and while Alex and I chattered away (mostly about food!!) we were aware of Damon ahead of us, he obviously didn't share our passion to talk about food!. We met up with him at water stops where he checked on the route with me before speeding off again!!
Upon returning to Ashendon the dreaded 'Brickhill' loomed before us, needless to say I made it up in one go this time and only waited about 5 minutes at the top for Alex so she did good too, maybe the thought of food helped!!
Upon our return the statutary bacon Sarnie awaited us and we then got on with our day's chores which mostly consisted of gardening!!
We now wait with eager anticipation of our French Night in the Gatehangers this coming Friday!!
It has been almost three years since the Belles set a challenge. We haven't stopped, we simply need to re-set and re-focus and find time to get ourselves back in the zone.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Monday, 18 April 2011
Bouncing Belles
Though it was sad not to all be cycling together this week it’s probably just as well that Alex couldn’t join us for our Sunday evening cycle – her bra would have almost certainly emptied itself over middle England. Because…we found a totally brilliant off-road route that literally shook us to the core.
Alex held out glasses of orange squash as we returned to Pollicott and listened in awe as we described our route and is now keen to get on the track next weekend (while I'm enjoying some R&R in sunny Wales). Oh when will we four ride again?!
Our final task of the day was to draw our book token lucky squares fundraiser – Carol Smith has won the £10 book voucher and Helen & Douglas are £26 better off as a result of our (ever supportive) friends, family and neighbours willingness to chip in a £1 each for a lucky square. Congratulations Carol – happy reading.
For just over ten miles of our 25 mile route we enjoyed a bouncy, traffic free, off-road route that covered byways, bridleways and a short section of an Aylesbury Vale cycle path that took us all the way from Kimblewick to Westcott. What a great find. We bounced over ridges (power plates are nothing compared to this) and sank into tractor ruts. We scrambled on gravel and glided over grass.
A few weeks ago I searched hard to find some new local off road routes believing there must be more bridle paths in Aylesbury Vale. All the internet could turn up was the Ridgeway – and for that information I had to sign up to some dodgy horse riding club website. Our route this week is living proof that perseverance pays: my annoying habit of asking locals about local paths and tracks turned up an absolute gem. Victoria (who works with me), brought up on a farm in Bishopstone, came up trumps during interrogation on a car journey through her homelands. Thank you Victoria. The good news, Belles, is that Victoria has described (in detail) several variations and we may be able to get even further next time on safe, fun, routes. Alex held out glasses of orange squash as we returned to Pollicott and listened in awe as we described our route and is now keen to get on the track next weekend (while I'm enjoying some R&R in sunny Wales). Oh when will we four ride again?!
Our final task of the day was to draw our book token lucky squares fundraiser – Carol Smith has won the £10 book voucher and Helen & Douglas are £26 better off as a result of our (ever supportive) friends, family and neighbours willingness to chip in a £1 each for a lucky square. Congratulations Carol – happy reading.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Be Prepared - Dib Dib Dib
Sometimes a Sunday morning training session is so much harder than the one before. With the glorious early Spring weather forcing us into an early firing up of Roger and Vickys barbecue, and the many delights that go with it, my Saturday night suggestion of a 6am start met with more than just a grunt of disapproval from Vicky. Don’t you just hate that warm sunshine, Rogers barbecuing skills, and wine?
Come Sunday morning, with grim determination and steely resolve, Vicky and I met in the lane at 9am (“oh come on, with Miller out of the way for the week and Amber working you didn’t really think we’d be out at 6am did you?”).
As we cycled out of Pollicott we hung a right and headed off towards the crossroads up at Nether Winchendon. No matter what way you go from Pollicott there’s always a hill, the top couldn’t arrive quickly enough but our destination this morning was the coffee shop in Haddenham, which meant the next bit was all down - whichever way you go. Our choice of route this morning was Barrack Hill, Cuddington, and into Haddenham and as usual, at the mere mention of coffee, Vicky began to peddle faster and faster.
Funny how some things can play with your mind. As Vicky began to pull away, clearly motivated by the vision of a steaming mug of coffee in her hand, I began to reflect on something I’d heard on the Jeremy Vine show about the power of positive thinking. The show in question featured people who had achieved exceptional outcomes in their lives simply by getting themselves in a positive ‘frame of mind’.
I’d been having a few ‘confidence’ problems since my little mishap in the ice, plus I’d been struggling with the hills lately – we used pretty much the same training routes as last year yet every hill seemed just that little bit steeper….and longer. Now I was watching Vicky powering away at the mere mention of coffee.
Without realising it we were in Haddenham pulling up outside the coffee shop where we were unexpectedly greeted by our Pollicott neighbour Robert who was sat outside enjoying a nice coffee on another day of beautiful sunshine. There is something nice about good company, warm sunshine, hot coffee, and butter croissants but, as the saying goes, all good things come to an end and soon Vicky and I was back on the bikes and making our way back out towards Pollicott.
As I pondered the ways in which I could turn positive thinking to my advantage Vicky almost had me cycling into the hedge - “I have to say Alex, I’m always amazed by what you keep in your bra” she yelled as we made our way back into Cuddington. Sensing my bewilderment I was offered a full explanation.
It appears that, since The Belles began cycling together many items of necessity have been produced from within my bra: mobile phone; keys; mints; and today money; “that is one heck of a bra” – chirped Vicky – “you ought to have been a honourable member of the scouting movement…..have bra, always be prepared”.
Dib dib dib back to Pollicott.
Alex xx
Come Sunday morning, with grim determination and steely resolve, Vicky and I met in the lane at 9am (“oh come on, with Miller out of the way for the week and Amber working you didn’t really think we’d be out at 6am did you?”).
As we cycled out of Pollicott we hung a right and headed off towards the crossroads up at Nether Winchendon. No matter what way you go from Pollicott there’s always a hill, the top couldn’t arrive quickly enough but our destination this morning was the coffee shop in Haddenham, which meant the next bit was all down - whichever way you go. Our choice of route this morning was Barrack Hill, Cuddington, and into Haddenham and as usual, at the mere mention of coffee, Vicky began to peddle faster and faster.
Funny how some things can play with your mind. As Vicky began to pull away, clearly motivated by the vision of a steaming mug of coffee in her hand, I began to reflect on something I’d heard on the Jeremy Vine show about the power of positive thinking. The show in question featured people who had achieved exceptional outcomes in their lives simply by getting themselves in a positive ‘frame of mind’.
I’d been having a few ‘confidence’ problems since my little mishap in the ice, plus I’d been struggling with the hills lately – we used pretty much the same training routes as last year yet every hill seemed just that little bit steeper….and longer. Now I was watching Vicky powering away at the mere mention of coffee.
Without realising it we were in Haddenham pulling up outside the coffee shop where we were unexpectedly greeted by our Pollicott neighbour Robert who was sat outside enjoying a nice coffee on another day of beautiful sunshine. There is something nice about good company, warm sunshine, hot coffee, and butter croissants but, as the saying goes, all good things come to an end and soon Vicky and I was back on the bikes and making our way back out towards Pollicott.
As I pondered the ways in which I could turn positive thinking to my advantage Vicky almost had me cycling into the hedge - “I have to say Alex, I’m always amazed by what you keep in your bra” she yelled as we made our way back into Cuddington. Sensing my bewilderment I was offered a full explanation.
It appears that, since The Belles began cycling together many items of necessity have been produced from within my bra: mobile phone; keys; mints; and today money; “that is one heck of a bra” – chirped Vicky – “you ought to have been a honourable member of the scouting movement…..have bra, always be prepared”.
Dib dib dib back to Pollicott.
Alex xx
Monday, 28 March 2011
All Cheers - No Fears!
Sunday morning, British Summer Time has arrived and at 7.30am on Sunday morning I was up and ready for our 9am start. This was (even by my standards) a bit keen and the truth is that I was totally confused the night before so set the alarm (on my iPhone) to cover all eventualities: clocks forward or back and (crucially) iPhone automatically changing or not.
After our long slog last weekend we agreed today would be a short, enjoyable, committed pedal incorporating a coffee shop. The latter was to be Little Italy, Haddenham (known to be reliably open at 10am on Sunday mornings). The one hour time target presented a challenge - Haddenham via the direct route is 30 minutes and other routes would take over an hour. Lucky I had 1½ hours to kill - I set to work on some serious route planning.
As a result I am now fully signed up to websites for most riding clubs in the area, can list the ‘moredirt.co.uk’ mountain bike site among my absolute favourites (though more suitable for virile young men) and found bridleways.co.uk to be the most unenlightening resource centre ever with just one route listed for the whole of Aylesbury Vale - The Ridgeway! Despite all my technical know-how and web based wizardry it was a paper Ordnance Survey map that gave me the inspiration so sought – I spotted a bridleway, a new one, never cycled before by us, lurking between the A413 and Haddenham.
Already one Belle down (due to Georgina’s 6th birthday party) at 8am Amber texted to advise of a last minute summons from work. That left Alex and I to check the map, agree the route, and set off on a simple zig-zag through the villages via a road that is pointless by car, yet today would lead us to a short hop on the A413 and onto the ‘new to us’ bridleway. What a find it was too - a wicked good bridleway with ridges, mud, brambles, fallen trees, a river crossed by a narrow bridge, grass track and shingles – perfect all terrain training for the South Downs Way.
We arrived at Little Italy at 10.03, parked our bikes outside and sauntered in for an Americano and Croissant break. Then, suitably refreshed we took a more direct route out of Haddenham to Cuddington and headed home via the Chearsley dog leg. A very enjoyable morning out.
Later in the day, in true Tour de France style, our (new found) positive attitude was suitably rewarded with lashings of Dom Pollignon – another new discovery, this time by Steve, of things that can be done with a sodastream (and a bottle of pinot grigio).
After our long slog last weekend we agreed today would be a short, enjoyable, committed pedal incorporating a coffee shop. The latter was to be Little Italy, Haddenham (known to be reliably open at 10am on Sunday mornings). The one hour time target presented a challenge - Haddenham via the direct route is 30 minutes and other routes would take over an hour. Lucky I had 1½ hours to kill - I set to work on some serious route planning.
As a result I am now fully signed up to websites for most riding clubs in the area, can list the ‘moredirt.co.uk’ mountain bike site among my absolute favourites (though more suitable for virile young men) and found bridleways.co.uk to be the most unenlightening resource centre ever with just one route listed for the whole of Aylesbury Vale - The Ridgeway! Despite all my technical know-how and web based wizardry it was a paper Ordnance Survey map that gave me the inspiration so sought – I spotted a bridleway, a new one, never cycled before by us, lurking between the A413 and Haddenham.
Already one Belle down (due to Georgina’s 6th birthday party) at 8am Amber texted to advise of a last minute summons from work. That left Alex and I to check the map, agree the route, and set off on a simple zig-zag through the villages via a road that is pointless by car, yet today would lead us to a short hop on the A413 and onto the ‘new to us’ bridleway. What a find it was too - a wicked good bridleway with ridges, mud, brambles, fallen trees, a river crossed by a narrow bridge, grass track and shingles – perfect all terrain training for the South Downs Way.
We arrived at Little Italy at 10.03, parked our bikes outside and sauntered in for an Americano and Croissant break. Then, suitably refreshed we took a more direct route out of Haddenham to Cuddington and headed home via the Chearsley dog leg. A very enjoyable morning out.
Later in the day, in true Tour de France style, our (new found) positive attitude was suitably rewarded with lashings of Dom Pollignon – another new discovery, this time by Steve, of things that can be done with a sodastream (and a bottle of pinot grigio).
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Amber - but not Orange!?
Saturday morning saw me defying the undeniable and almost gravitational pull of my bed at 7:00AM. Yes. A-M.. and by 20 to 8 myself and my trusty steed were making our way upto Pollicott to meet my 3 favourite fellow early morning cyclists. I was a little disheartened, as I had built myself a reputation for being eternally loyal to my bright orange Helen & Douglas House t-shirt whilst the others had all been unfaithful opting for warmer attire over the last few rides.. but today I was the one who wasn't sporting the orange as I had been living at Mum's for the past week, catching up with some washing and had left it there!! Oh no!!! Words cannot express how gutted I was when i'd defied my gravitational bed and received a text from Sian explaining that we would be needing our t-shirts for a group photo at the end of the ride! However, I couldn't justify driving to Mum's as it would have cut the ride short..
So, I arrived at the top of Pollicott in my non-orange completely YELLOW high vis jacket. Sian, Alex and Vicky appeared soon after in their lovely H&DH t-shirts (and a few extra layers due to cold!) and Sian explained the route she had in mind.
I have to admit, as always, my first thought was 'oh no, hills!' but we were soon on our way upto Winchendon. With Vicky behind me consistently cheering me on, I made it to the top in my fastest time yet and we then made our way to Cuddington. A quick cross at the A418 (I think!) and a sweet stop.. which is when I had a bright idea. Sian had mentioned that we'd be crossing in Stone to get to Eythrope a little further along the route.. With Mum's house only in Fairford Leys (5 mins from Stone) Could this be the end to my lack of Helen and Douglas House t-shirt? I deployed my iPhone with the intention to speak to Mum and see if she would be able to meet us in Stone with my beloved orange garment... but it soon became apparent that Mum had not been able to drag herself from her own gravitational bed as there was no answer.
We continued on our route and before I knew it we were approaching 'Little Meadle' - this is when I started to panic a bit - Little Meadle? I glanced at Sian who looked just as confused as I did - despite living a few miles away neither of us had EVER heard of it! How bizarre. With all of the major hills out of the way I started to really enjoy the gorgeous weather and was taking in the views! We were passed by two groups of racing cyclists - sleek and lovely with their featherweight bikes, elastic band tyres and streamlined Lycra. Casual, effortless 'good morning's coming our way.. There I was leading our pack with my halfords special mountain bike - tyres fit for a land rover and my not so streamlined hoody, yellow high vis and invisible orange t-shirt. With out of breath, couldreallydowithsomeoxygen 'Hiya's somehow coming out of my mouth.
Another sweet & drink stop in Bishopstone confirmed my thoughts - Mum had infact only just got up and would be in no fit state to meet us in Stone in the 5 minutes we had to get there. So, a little disappointed that a reunion with my t-shirt wasn't meant to be, I continued to take the lead and we arrived in Stone and carried onto Eythrope (which is apparently dog central - have never seen so many dogs and dog walkers in such a short space of time!)
The long and windy slope back upto the Lodge between Upper Winchendon and Waddesdon was a killer on my legs, and I have to confess, I did have to jump off and have a little stroll for a short distance, with Alex not far behind. With Sian and Vicky ready to get going again when we reached the top, we took a nice freewheel down the other side of the hill and came to the Manor crossroads. 10 minutes later we had all tackled the steep downhill muddy track without getting off OR stopping, and I was lucky enough to be very nearly home. The hills back up to Ashendon were sadly on the cards for the others as i'd already cycled them earlier in the morning (mwahahahaha)...
But before they could depart - we still had a photo to take! With only 3 orange t-shirts!! My pining for my lovely t-shirt coupled with the fact that i'd just cycled 20 miles and my legs were about to wobble away from my torso meant that a photo was the LAST thing I wanted. Sian had been clever enough to improvise and had worn her ORANGE high visibility jacket, which I sneakily adopted especially for the photo so that I too, could be orange. My techno-phobe father was handed an iPhone, shown roughly where to poke on the screen to activate the camera and we all posed with our best 'honestly, this is a genuine smile' faces in our orange attire.
After a quick chat, the 3 Belles set off on their way home, whilst me and my legs wobbled our way indoors and got straight into a hot bath., grateful that I lived at the bottom of a hill. Not at the top!
Monday, 14 March 2011
Boots, Belles and Blow...
9am Sunday morning saw we Belles squeezing our booty into Andy's car. We quickly filled it and Alex, Annalise and I squeezed in and headed to the metropolis of Ashendon to tout our wares.
It was raining so we were diverted to the cover of the hut and our car boot sale became a table top sale. Luckily we managed to blag a table!
As we hurried to unpack trading began. Professional buyers hustled for china, jewellery, smellies. We dug through our bags and boxes to satisfy demand and even the hardest booter among them gave us a fair price when we explained that our money today was destined for Helen & Douglas House.
In true Belles style we took the opportunity to enjoy ourselves immensly. We can only apologise to our fellow traders: Pietro for the toilet humour, Louise for leaving x-rated goods on your stall and Jessica for selling your x-rated goods.
We must also beg forgiveness from our customers.
Pam Rand can now set up an art gallery (with Gill) so we are sorry for that and also to Clare for being so blatantly opportunistic. Luke I was totally out of order for telling you Waynes World 2 is a really great film. And we are truly ashamed that we sold Freddo Frogs to children at 3p over market rate.
England Rugby fans we are so not sorry for what we did to Martin Johnson (and on a big match day too).
It was raining so we were diverted to the cover of the hut and our car boot sale became a table top sale. Luckily we managed to blag a table!
As we hurried to unpack trading began. Professional buyers hustled for china, jewellery, smellies. We dug through our bags and boxes to satisfy demand and even the hardest booter among them gave us a fair price when we explained that our money today was destined for Helen & Douglas House.
 |
| Bargains galore on our stall. |
We must also beg forgiveness from our customers.
 |
| Isalda sorry for selling you the x-rated goods (and for this photo). |
England Rugby fans we are so not sorry for what we did to Martin Johnson (and on a big match day too).
 |
| All that puff left me looking like an orange chipmunk but for £3 it was so worth the effort! |
 |
| Tree needs a home. |
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Unchained Malady?
My decision to get out of bed on Saturday morning despite a frenetic week scuppered Amber's plans for a quick whizz on the flatlands. I thought she wouldn't notice, when I suggested she meet me at Pollicott, that I had plans to re-route. But she had and at 7.40 am I got a call from Amber - "my chain is rusty and it's slipping" says she, "I'm not sure I can keep going - I might go tomorrow instead..." - I admit to being tempted to go back to bed but somehow I found myself saying "keep pedalling - I have lubes!" (Indeed I do have a wide selection of lubes for all occasions).
And so it was, at 8am on Saturday morning, Amber and I set off to do the hill training 'rollercoaster' route up the hills and down the vales that surround Ashendon. This was not the flat route of Amber's choice but if we can't do hills we will be walking a lot of the South Downs Way and the plan is to cycle it.
At the top of hill number one, Amber was very pale and admitted to being very worried about what was to come on our route. Guilty? me? no... "c'mon" I said, "you can do it". She didn't smile but she did keep going so I took that as a positive sign. We had a nice downhill cruise out of Chearsley with me yabbering away (trying to lighten the mood) and Amber giving me sideways 'I hate you, you are not my friend' looks.
At the end of the long (but not as steep as it feels) cruise up to Chilton I was ahead of Amber and took the opportunity to investigate a bridleway opposite the junction. What an exciting find, I just need to look at the map and I think we have a new route. As I looped back to find Amber she was definitely NOT in the mood to discuss my new found route and (after a short moment of pure joy when Amber realised we had only been cycling 36 minutes) we turned toward Chilton in contemplative silence.
Between Chilton and Dorton the unspoiled views across the Pollicott valley make this part of the ride truly glorious and even Amber managed to agree that it is a marvel to behold.
In Dorton we took the 'up and over railway line' hill in our stride and started the final leg toward Ashendon. This involves the Brick Hill climb (a short and sharp 1:10 hill with a mean little bend at the steepest point). The thing is Amber had already told me she "can't do it". The truth is she has never tried and I was in a meanly determined mood so - my response? You’ve guessed it "yes you can - you just have to believe you can (and get in the right gear)." Amber hhmmpphd at me stood up on her pedals and set off ahead of me toward said hill.
Concerned I may totally kill Amber's enthusiasm I stayed at the rear and despite stopping twice she didn't walk even one step of the way. She stopped, I circled round to stay behind and she set off again - twice. AND before we knew it Amber Ewers had cycled up Brick Hill and didn't even stop at Hill Farm (which is a perfectly acceptable breathing point when needed).
By the time we said our farewells in Ashendon Amber had got her colour back. By the time she was back in Westcott I think she had her smile back AND renewed enthusiasm too. There are moments in this cycle training lark that give me immense satisfaction!
And so it was, at 8am on Saturday morning, Amber and I set off to do the hill training 'rollercoaster' route up the hills and down the vales that surround Ashendon. This was not the flat route of Amber's choice but if we can't do hills we will be walking a lot of the South Downs Way and the plan is to cycle it.
At the top of hill number one, Amber was very pale and admitted to being very worried about what was to come on our route. Guilty? me? no... "c'mon" I said, "you can do it". She didn't smile but she did keep going so I took that as a positive sign. We had a nice downhill cruise out of Chearsley with me yabbering away (trying to lighten the mood) and Amber giving me sideways 'I hate you, you are not my friend' looks.
At the end of the long (but not as steep as it feels) cruise up to Chilton I was ahead of Amber and took the opportunity to investigate a bridleway opposite the junction. What an exciting find, I just need to look at the map and I think we have a new route. As I looped back to find Amber she was definitely NOT in the mood to discuss my new found route and (after a short moment of pure joy when Amber realised we had only been cycling 36 minutes) we turned toward Chilton in contemplative silence.
Between Chilton and Dorton the unspoiled views across the Pollicott valley make this part of the ride truly glorious and even Amber managed to agree that it is a marvel to behold.
In Dorton we took the 'up and over railway line' hill in our stride and started the final leg toward Ashendon. This involves the Brick Hill climb (a short and sharp 1:10 hill with a mean little bend at the steepest point). The thing is Amber had already told me she "can't do it". The truth is she has never tried and I was in a meanly determined mood so - my response? You’ve guessed it "yes you can - you just have to believe you can (and get in the right gear)." Amber hhmmpphd at me stood up on her pedals and set off ahead of me toward said hill.
Concerned I may totally kill Amber's enthusiasm I stayed at the rear and despite stopping twice she didn't walk even one step of the way. She stopped, I circled round to stay behind and she set off again - twice. AND before we knew it Amber Ewers had cycled up Brick Hill and didn't even stop at Hill Farm (which is a perfectly acceptable breathing point when needed).
By the time we said our farewells in Ashendon Amber had got her colour back. By the time she was back in Westcott I think she had her smile back AND renewed enthusiasm too. There are moments in this cycle training lark that give me immense satisfaction!
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